[1] BTN: What are some of the latest enhancements that you've made to Merrill Edge?
Vienick: We've updated to provide an application [on BlackBerry, iPad and Android devices] that provides full access to accounts, trading, information that allows users to keep tabs on the markets, and access to market research.... And for our iPad application, we introduced a bill pay function. If a client already has online bill pay set up in their account, they can pay any of those bills on the iPad. The most recent release on the iPhone has remote check deposit, which lets users take a picture and instantly transmit that to our system.
[2] Remote deposit capture seems to require some work from the consumer - particularly in taking an accurate photo that's usable for the institution. Is there a learning curve for users?
We made it simple. It's a two-step process. The user logs in and places the phone near the check. They don't really even have to snap a picture. As long as they hold the camera steady over the check, the app recognizes the image as a check and automatically takes the image.
[3] How are consumer relationships on mobile and web channels changing?
We are seeing more customers migrate to using mobile platforms. That doesn't mean they are switching off the online experience, they are just augmenting it. When they need access to their investments while on the go, they are using mobile apps more.
[4] What gets top priority on the mobile apps?
People like to say you should put everything on mobile platforms. But first and foremost, mobile's about quick and easy access to information about the market and performance, answering questions such as 'how is my portfolio doing?'
[5] How important is it to integrate Merrill Edge's mobile apps with Bank of America's?
When Merrill Edge first came out in 2010, the value proposition was the easy access to your accounts at Bank of America. So when people log into our apps, they can see all their Merrill Edge and Bank of America accounts on screen. If people are doing remote deposit on the iPhone, they can move that money directly to their Bank of America accounts. They can also move money between accounts through an integration between the platforms.
